Jan. 7, 2006
Complete Results in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The University of New Mexico ski team began the 2006 season in fifth place after the first day of the Alaska-Anchorage Invite in Soldier Hollow, Utah, today. The Lobos scored 110 points and trail meet-leading Denver’s 161 points following the men’s and women’s classic races. Junior Dirk Grimm had the best showing of the day, placing seventh in the men’s 15K.
New Mexico was skiing without sophomore Tiffany Callahan and Junior Jedd Young who were out with illnesses and senior All-American Geir-Endre Rogn who will rejoin the team at the end of the month after training in Europe for the fall semester. Other top finishers for the men were freshmen Casey Dyck (17th) and Rick Grahn (24th).
The women were led by sophomore Marit Rognmo’s eighth place showing in her first collegiate race. A pleasant surprise for UNM was sophomore Laura Van Alst’s 13th place mark. Also racing for the women were Kathrine Alseen (15th), Crystin Jacques (16th) and Melanie Zemp (16th).
“We had a tough day with Tiffany Callahan and Jedd Young not starting due to sickness and both Crystin Jaques and Melanie Zemp still recovering from colds,” stated Nordic coach Fredrik Landstedt. “Dirk Grimm had a good race and so did Marit Rognmo. Laura ValAlst was a big surprise coming second for our women’s team.”
The Nordic squad continues competing tomorrow in the men’s 10K and women’s 5K fresstyle races. The Alpine team takes the slopes on Jan. 11-12 in the UAA Invite Alpine events.